Which factor is listed as an OA risk factor related to joint history?

• A. History of trauma/surgery at joint
• B. Metabolic changes within the body
• C. Cutting sports
• D. Physically demanding occupations

Answer: (A)

A history of trauma or surgery at a joint is a key OA risk factor tied directly to the joint’s past. When a joint has been injured, cartilage can be damaged and the way the joint bears weight can change. These structural and loading changes can accelerate cartilage wear and trigger degenerative changes over time. Surgery can also alter joint alignment or create scar tissue, affecting how force is distributed across the joint and increasing vulnerability to OA. The other options describe general activity or systemic factors rather than the joint’s own history, so they don’t specifically capture the effect of prior joint events.